Free-agent right-handed reliever Joe Kelly (shoulder), who suffered a shoulder injury last September while with the Los Angeles Dodgers that forced him to miss the team's World Series run, acknowledged that he might retire. The 36-year-old remains open to pitching this year and continues to progress through a throwing program, but he's uncertain if he'll pitch in 2025. "I'm not 100 percent yet," Kelly said. "I want to see if I get to 100 percent." Kelly was 1-1 with a 4.78 ERA in 35 appearances out of the bullpen for the Blue last year and has gone 54-38 with a 3.98 ERA and seven saves in 485 career games (81 starts). He's pretty much done at all at this point, winning three World Series rings -- in 2020 and 2024 with the Dodgers and in 2018 with the Boston Red Sox. If Kelly does pitch in 2025, it won't be at the start of the season, and it would most likely be with the Dodgers.
Free-agent relief pitcher Joe Kelly (shoulder) noted on the Dodgers Beat podcast that he will either return to Los Angeles or retire. His decision will come down to his health, as he is currently recovering from a shoulder injury that cut his 2024 campaign short. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout the offseason, as his health will dictate the future of his professional career. The 36-year-old was limited to just 32 innings of work last season and held a 4.78 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. He struck out 35 batters but posted a high 11.2% walk rate. In 2023, the right-hander had a similar 4.12 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. If Kelly were to move past this injury and return to the Dodgers for the 2025 campaign, he would likely continue to see time as a middle reliever, as he tallied 13 holds last season.
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitchers Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) and Joe Kelly (shoulder) will not be available to pitch in the NLCS, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Graterol has been on the injured list since the end of September with right-shoulder inflammation. Kelly suffered a shoulder injury during a simulated game and has not taken the mound since Sept. 27. However, both pitchers could be in the mix to return in the World Series. The Dodgers will also likely be without Alex Vesia (back) in this series. As a result, DFS managers should expect Blake Treinen to see a majority of the save opportunities after picking up two in the NLDS, with Daniel Hudson, Evan Phillips, and Michael Kopech also having high-leverage roles.
Michael Grove Named To NLDS Roster, Joe Kelly Left Off
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Grove was named to the NLDS roster, while right-handed pitcher Joe Kelly (shoulder) was left off as he suffered a shoulder injury during a simulated game earlier this week. Grove has typically been deployed out of the bullpen this summer and has logged just two starts. Across 51 frames, Grove held a 5.12 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP, with a 16:54 BB:K ratio. Grove could be deployed in long relief or even in a spot start during the series. Joe Kelly operated exclusively out of the bullpen this season and posted a 4.78 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. Kelly was typically given set-up duties during the 2024 campaign but battled a shoulder injury late into the season. As a result, DFS players should expect Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, and Alex Vesia to be called upon in high-leverage situations during their tilt against the San Diego Padres.
Joe Kelly, Brusdar Graterol Both On Track To Return By End Of July
Los Angeles Dodgers relievers Joe Kelly (shoulder) and Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) are both on track to return by the end of July, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. Kelly is expected to return after the All-Star break, and Graterol will likely return closer to the end of the month. Kelly has missed all of June and most of May with a right posterior shoulder strain, while Graterol has not made an appearance in the 2024 season while dealing with right-shoulder inflammation. Both will be welcome additions to a Dodgers bullpen that already holds the fourth-best bullpen ERA in the league at 3.33 coming into Friday. Kelly has been subpar in 2024 with a 4.73 ERA but would likely be able to eat up the middle innings of games. Graterol will greatly help the back end of the Dodgers bullpen when he returns after posting a sub-1.00 WHIP in back-to-back seasons. Fantasy managers should look to prioritize adding Graterol to their lineups.
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Joe Kelly (shoulder) will begin his minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday with an appearance for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. It's good news that Kelly has finally started a rehab assignment, but manager Dave Roberts said over the weekend that Kelly was unlikely to return to the big-league bullpen before the All-Star break in mid-July. It makes sense with the 36-year-old veteran reliever having been out with a right-shoulder strain for almost two full months. At best, Kelly will be an option for fantasy managers in deep holds leagues. He only has seven career saves in 13 major-league seasons and had a bloated 4.73 ERA (2.64 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and five walks for the Dodgers in 13 1/3 innings out of the bullpen before injuring his right shoulder.
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly (shoulder) won't be ready to return before the All-Star break, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. The right-hander has been on the injured list since early May due to a shoulder issue. The 36-year-old will require a rehab assignment before returning. Once he returns, Kelly figures to pitch in high-leverage situations, but won't have much fantasy value because he's not the closer.
As of Friday, Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever Joe Kelly (shoulder) was throwing out from 90 feet, but manager Dave Roberts said that Kelly was on a "slow program" and a return from the injured list was not imminent. Kelly was unexpectedly placed on the 15-day injured list before the May 6 game against the Miami Marlins. The 35-year-old veteran will need to start throwing off a mound again first before eventually going on a short minor-league rehab assignment. Even though Kelly's return has been slowed, as long as he doesn't suffer a setback, he should be able to return before the start of July. Kelly is really only fantasy relevant in deep holds leagues. So far in 2024, he's recorded a 4.73 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with five walks and 14 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings out of LA's bullpen.
Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever Joe Kelly (shoulder) started a throwing program on Monday. Kelly has resumed throwing after being put on the 15-day injured list on May 6 with a right-shoulder strain. Even though the 35-year-old veteran will likely require a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to the Dodgers' bullpen, it should be a short one, barring a setback with his shoulder. Kelly isn't really a candidate for saves in LA -- he has just seven in his 13-year MLB career -- but he's a valuable right-handed setup man in the Dodgers' bullpen when he's healthy and could have some appeal in deep holds leagues. Before his shoulder injury, Kelly had allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 13 hits while walking five and striking out 14 in 13 1/3 relief innings.
The Los Angeles Dodgers placed right-hander Joe Kelly (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list on Monday with a "right posterior shoulder strain." The move cleared a spot for right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) to be activated from the IL. Kelly doesn't think the injury will keep him out for long, but that doesn't mean he will be ready to return once his stay on the 15-day IL is up. The 35-year-old reliever also dealt with a groin injury recently. The Dodgers' bullpen has taken a hit in recent days with both Kelly and closer Evan Phillips (hamstring) going on the shelf. With Phillips out, expect the Dodgers to move to a closer-by-committee, with players such as Daniel Hudson, Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia being candidates for save opportunities. Kelly has a 4.73 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with five walks and 14 K's in 13 1/3 relief innings so far in 2024.
